Envu
Envu's Debbie Koufas, a research biologist, has been honored with the National Pest Management Association’s Impact Award.
Koufas was recognized alongside 88 other recipients during the 2025 NPMA’s Women’s Forum in Austin, Texas, which serves as an opportunity to celebrate the contributions of women across the pest management profession. Lawn & Landscape's sister publication, Pest Control Technology, posted the full list of award-winners in March.
“Debbie’s decades of knowledge and expertise are directly responsible for shaping forward-looking innovations that help our customers solve their daily challenges,” says Tiffany Fremder, chief marketing officer at Envu. “Most recently, she played a critical role in developing Barricor Essential Mosquito Control, a new botanical-based formulation that kills mosquitoes but is safe on bees and butterflies. Her work, alongside many others at Envu, gives us the ability to help protect the spaces people live in for a healthier environment.”
When developing Barricor Essential Mosquito Control, Koufas helped to screen and refine essential oil- and botanical-based formulations to find the right balance of efficacy and environmental responsibility. Her work has directly addressed a growing challenge in the industry: how to provide reliable, professional-grade mosquito control while satisfying the preferences of environmentally conscious consumers. Barricor Essential Mosquito Control delivers a powerful 24-hour mortality rate for Aedes mosquitoes while maintaining stability, reducing active ingredient loading and ensuring ease of use for pest management professionals without frequent remixing. It’s also safe for bees and butterflies.
In addition to developing new products for the industry, Koufas manages the Envu insecticide testing laboratory at the Clayton research and development site. She assisted in developing an indoor spray testing method using a paint airbrush setup and a fume hood — an approach that allowed Envu to continue research year-round.
Her work also includes shaping Maxforce Impact roach gel bait, which is designed for rotational use and free of the big eight allergens, making it ideal for sensitive accounts; playing a key role in validating Suspend PolyZone insecticide as an effective mosquito barrier treatment; and bringing Temprid Dust to market.
“Beyond her technical contributions, Koufas is a mentor, leader and advocate for scientific excellence. Her work bridges the gap between scientific discovery and practical, business-ready solutions for pest management professionals," Fremder adds. "Debbie's legacy is a source of immense pride for our team and a testament to the vital role women play in advancing our industry."